PHED 239 Module 4: High School

Site Observation Assignment

Due one day after the observation
Directions: Read and become familiar with the questions below BEFORE
the observation. Submit answers to the questions on document created in
Google Drive. Points will be deducted for grammar, spelling and
punctuation mistakes. Total = 30 pts.
Include the following general background information:
East Long Meadow High School
Diane Leslie
Grade 9
25 students
There is one big gym, one small gym, a very nice pool. Outside is a
baseball field, football field, tennis courts, and a track.
Questions:
1. Describe how students interacted with each other and with
teacher(s).
The students interacted with each other well in my opinion for the most part. I
noticed there was one male student who was energetic but competitive during the
game they were playing. He would make a big deal about one students heel being
an inch over the line, and then complain to his teacher. Other then that I saw
everyone being respectful towards one another and the teacher, listening to
instructions, and also full participation.
2. What characteristics of a high school student did you witness? Give
examples.
There were a few characteristics of a high school that I witnessed when I went to
East Long Meadow. One of them being that after class was over, the students went
to the locker room by themselves. This gives the students responsibility and makes
them accountable to behave appropriately in those locker rooms. I also witnessed a
lot less instruction and a lot more game like situation. I also noticed that Mrs.
Leslie did not stop the games almost at all. She would yell out reminders here and
there, and she also participated in the game at one point. Lastly, I noticed that there
was not too much practice of individual skills, there were game like situations.
3. What rules, routines, and management techniques are used by your
cooperating teacher(s)?

When I walked into the gym the class was finishing something up around half
court which might have been a warm up, then the teacher had everyone meet in a
half circle around the whiteboard. She utilized the board by writing down the
teams, when which team was playing, and also mapping out the schedule for the
next couple weeks. She stressed that students must stay inside the lines in terms of
the game and safety. I only heard Mrs. Leslie blow her whistle a couple times and
that was to stop the games that were going on. Also, she had a student that did not
have gym clothes to participate by keeping track of the time intervals of the game.
4. What units are the students participating in during this time of year?
How do the teachers determine what units the students will be involved
in? How long are the units?
Units at East Long Meadow high school are typically around two weeks long.
These units come from the standards and curriculum, but each grade has a different
one so it depends on the grade that is being taught. The students I will be teaching
are starting a soccer and swimming unit on the seventh. I am excited to teach these
topics especially swimming because I did not have a pool in my high school.
5. Any discipline issues? If so, how were they handled? What is the
teachers discipline policy?
There were not any discipline issues in the class that I observed. There was one
student that arrived late and she had him participate in the game right away. I am
sure that Mrs. Leslie took note of the fact that he was tardy. One other thing that I
heard was no matter what the student is wearing, they have to have another change
of clothes in order to get credit. Lastly, students that say they are injured must
bring a copy of a doctors note to the class.
6. What are the average class sizes? How are classes divided (i.e. by
grade level, skill level, etc)?
I was told that the average class size is around 25. Unlike Agawam, the classes are
divided by grade level. For the game that I observed, the teacher mixed up the
teams randomly and tried to make it as fair as possible.
7. What is/are your biggest concern(s) about teaching at the high school
level?
My biggest concerns about teaching at the high school level is that the students are
fairly close to my age. I truly hope that the students respect me and listen to what I
say as much as they listen to their normal teachers. I think that in order for me to
be successful I have to be enthusiastic but also a little stern at the same time.
Lastly, I cannot lead any student on to thinking that I am his or her friend at all.
8. What are you most looking forward to in regards to teaching at the high
school level?
I am looking forward to teaching high school because the kids are older and more
mature. This means that not a lot of instruction will be given, the activities will be

a decent amount harder, and there will be more game like situations. Lastly, I am
excited to see students improve on their skills in many different aspects.